NYON, Switzerland (BN24) – UEFA has granted rare approval for La Liga and Serie A matches to be staged outside Europe, allowing one-off games in the United States and Australia despite significant opposition from fans and concerns about the integrity of domestic leagues.
The decision clears the way for Barcelona to face Villarreal in Miami this December and for AC Milan to play Como in Perth, Australia, in February. Both matches will mark the first time official league fixtures from Spain and Italy are held in these respective countries.
Fan organizations and supporters’ groups have criticized the move, arguing that relocating domestic league games overseas alienates local fanbases and undermines the structure of national competitions. The criticism prompted a month-long consultation process by UEFA, which concluded with its executive committee issuing a formal response.
In a statement released Monday, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin acknowledged the widespread concerns and emphasized that the approvals are not to be viewed as precedent-setting.
“League matches should be played on home soil; anything else would disenfranchise loyal match-going fans and potentially introduce distortive elements in competitions,” Čeferin said. “While it is regrettable to have to let these two games go ahead, this decision is exceptional and shall not be seen as setting a precedent.”
Čeferin added that the decision followed “constructive and responsible engagement” from all 55 national associations. UEFA reiterated that any future applications to stage domestic fixtures abroad must undergo consultation with the governing body before submission.
The matches were proposed by the Italian and Spanish football federations, prompting the need for UEFA’s intervention. While the executive committee had postponed its ruling last month, it ultimately concluded that broad support for such matches does not currently exist.
Despite UEFA’s green light, the organization reinforced its position that football should remain deeply rooted in local communities and national contexts. “Our commitment is clear: to protect the integrity of national leagues and ensure that football remains anchored in its home environment,” Čeferin stated.
The matches will proceed under the condition that they remain isolated instances, with UEFA firmly cautioning against viewing them as the start of a trend toward globalization of domestic league play.
